Pelican Mutilations ...

BigWaterBigFish · 12-18-2002, 06:32 PM

With all the things going on in the world one tends to get immune to alot of the bad things but the recent article that they have found at least six brown pelican's on the Oregon Coast that have had their top beak chopped off by someone has really got to me.
There is something wonderful to me about being out in the ocean or along the bouy line in the Columbia and having a line of pelicans come sailing along, just barely above the waves. Or this year with all the bait fish in the water, having them diving and spiraling in, to pop up with their beaks full. Maybe it's just the kindered spirit of the son of a cajun has to the state bird of Louisana but it sickens me to think that someone could hack off the top beak of a majestic sea bird and leave them to starve.
As posted here before and I believe exhibited well by the ifish members, please report all wildlife violations and crimes to the Oregon State Police or appropriate federal authorities.
These birds are fellow fisherman of sorts and subject to the same ebb and flow of the fish population and ocean conditions for their survival that we take for granted at times as a recreation ... would we tolerate such cruelty amongst ourselves?

GutshotApe · 12-18-2002, 07:00 PM

BWBF - I heard about the mutilated birds that washed up near Pacific City. Sick.

Who/how could someone catch six pelicans in the first place? It would be one thing for some Gomer shooting pelicans, rationalizing the act, thinking they're unfair competiton for fish. But why would anybody cut off pelican's beaks?

:whazzup:

HeavyMetal BankFisherman · 12-18-2002, 07:05 PM

Totally unacceptable. It sickens me to no end to think that a fellow human being would do this to those innocent birds. But nothing suprises me anymore.

timinthegorge · 12-18-2002, 07:07 PM

Inexplicable....... I just don't understand how or why anyone would do such a thing.......

:whazzup:

Bankbound · 12-18-2002, 08:29 PM

I secone everyone's emotions those are great birds I have some great pics of them dive-bombing baitfish in nehalem bay, about 20 feet away from the boat!!! Truly amazing. :smile:

Why would someone do this and HOW, WHERE, it would be obvious. And gutshot is right how in the heck would you go about catching six pelicans? Clearly well thought out and highly motivated, some people are sick

KingFisher85 · 12-18-2002, 08:34 PM

top beak chopped off by someone, why, I ask why would anyone do that.

Joe · 12-18-2002, 08:54 PM

I live in Pacific City and spend a bunch of time on the bay and the beach. I'm have a really hard time believing someone is cutting off pelican beaks! I've never been able to get close enough to a pelican to comprehend how it could be done.

How? or more importantly Why?

Is it possible it is a natural occurance?

Dr Strangelove · 12-18-2002, 10:26 PM

I remember this same crime happened in the Santa Monica Bay Area in the early 1980's when I lived down there. Maybe a serial pelican mutilator moved here? Sick puppy.

graybeard · 12-18-2002, 10:46 PM

This is sick. Is someone using a trap?..... trying to protect their fish pond. That's about the only way I can think of that this could happen.

wetaline · 12-18-2002, 10:57 PM

This is a completely non fact idea.. but are there drift nets in reach of these pelicans? if so is it possible for them to dive around them and get their beeks caught in the net? .. and then i thought maybe while bringing them in the deck hands just cut the beek off to get them out.... .

like i said a completly wild idea, w/ no fact to even know if its possible...